The next year, it was a slow gain of EXP for me. I tried to find side-quests that helped me level up faster (the faster the better), and it was excruciating. The pain of checking everyday for a full year had me shook to the core and it kinda just slapped me in the face how I needed to stop treating this new life I've been blessed with like a game.
I mean, yeah, RPG style of leveling up using EXP could be the main reason, but I think it's because everywhere I look I see people's profiles. I even see their stats and basic info. It took me a while to get used to the pop-ups but nothing I can't handle. It wasn't the time for me to slack off though, so I started dabbling in clan politics, continued my fuinjutsu training (which was level 7 now, making me able to seal stuff as big as Ma and Kazu, seal a few basic ninjutsu and pack more food.), started learning how to cook and learn about poisons from Ma (literally was painful and fun at the same time) and started getting used to Academy-issued kunai.
It took me a full 6 months to realize that although the Ushijima was part of the minor shinobi clans, they were at the top of the richest merchant clans. My mom was a direct supplier for the Fire Daimyo's silks and made his family's clothes for every occasion, and we also supplied the palace with the best armor for their samurai. Not only did the Fire Daimyo know my mother personally, but he also exclusively took said goods from her. Which in turn made the Ushijimas a favorite for the other Daimyo's to turn to, whether it be for their samurais armors or their clothes. Basically, in terms of merchant income alone, the Ushijima Clan ran Konoha, having dominated the charts of the highest incomes with almost 37% under our belt, the Akimichi following us with 17% with all their restaurants and collaborations with the Yamanaka and Nara.
It took me another full six months to realize I was rich in this life too, because I thought the Ushijima clan as a whole supplied the Daimyo, but it turns out my mom was famous for her silks and that's because the clothes she make are either made from the rarest materials, is sewn with literal gold on the fabric, or had life-prolonging properties (it's actually real, Ushijima clan members/ninja all typically die almost decades later than most of their peers, kind of like the Uzumaki, but in clothes) and by rhe time I accomplished all these, I was two and my body was starting to grow taller and I was starting to also put on a little more weight. The discovery I made let me know I can spend my money in things that's actually going to let me live longer. I asked Ma how much money I'll be allowed to bring with me when I'm allowed to go out of the compound, and do you know how much she said?
560,000 ryo. 555,000 yen is equal to five thousand dollars (and a few change) over here. For every one ryo is equivalent to to ten yen. You do the math. Imagine how much I can buy and how many people I can make my pawns to help get the butterfly effect I want. Holy.
After hearing that, I made up my mind and begged her to let me go out. She said it was okay but then I'd have to have atleast a chūnin with me at all times. I argued with her that I just want to play with the other kids in the playground.
She said it's either I have someone go with me or I don't go out at all.
"Ma~," I whine, "—is boring 'ere! I wan' play 'lone!" I sit down on the floor as gently as I can, (i've got too much baby booty fat for this floor) and lie down on the floor, sniffling loudly. The best way to get what you want when you're a kid? Act cute while crying. It'll break their hearts, I'd know since it worked on me and for me.
"Ken, he or she don't have to play with you. All they're going to do is play bodyguard."
Ugh, why can't you just let me be? I have to sneak into the Uchiha compound!
"But Ma~ That means they go'n 'ta play too!" I heard a hand smack a forehead. Ooh, Jashin. Just let me win already. I'm trying to save our asses here.
"Ken, no, just— Okay, stop crying. I'll let you go out alone, alright? Please stop crying!" Ma desperately tried to stop my tears, already kneeling infront of me and using her kimono sleeves to wipe my fake tears.
"I get play 'lone?" I ask, using the most pitiful, most broken voice I can muster.
"Yes, yes." She said, visibly relaxing once my sniffling died down. She pulled me up to my feet and gave me a little lady-bug backpack, and stuffed some wads of cash inside, putting the change into a bright yellow duck coin purse. She changed my clothes, and stuck me into a light blue casual yukata. It had white, little doves at the sleeves. I wore open toed sandals, not quite the ones Academy students use but the ones your one uncle uses? Yeah, that one, except it was all black and went pretty well with my ensemble. After kissing my forehead goodbye, I went on my merry way, saying my greetings to the people I encounter inside the compound.
Okay, first up! Ichiraku Ramen! No one who visits Konoha should ever forget the future, Seventh Hokage endorsed ramen shop. Armed with my bag and coin purse, I set my feet outside of the compound. I ran to the Aburame compound gate, saying hi to the guard and asking directions to Ichiraku's.
Seems they're quite the distance away, but it doesn't matter. Ramen is the food of the gods.
'Hey, Megami?'
Yes?
'Have you tried ramen?' The familiar warmth enveloped me and a twinkling like sound sounded off behind my head.
I have never tried any kind of food.
'Ha? What do you mean?' I inquire, opening the in-game map to see if I really was going in the right direction. I was. The streets were kind of dull, if not bare. The primary colors used by the buildings around the village were the same offwhite, gray and brown. There were houses that had colors not the above said, but were pale and not vibrant. It was pretty depressing, but I guess it fits since we're in a war and many families are mourning.
I'm an entity that's in between chakra and a spirit. I don't need food to function.
'Oh. Okay.' She cut off connections and the warmth enveloping me disappeared. I was infront of Ichiraku's anyways. The stall itself was pretty small, and it looked like the stall it had in Japan, where the inspiration was gotten. It had a few seats in front of the counter and you could see them make the noodles when you order. I struggled to get up on the seat at the far right, just next to the wall, due to my pitiful height. Thankfully, someone had the heart to help me and I found myself plopping down on the seat comfortably. I turned around and was met with long, fluffy red hair all up in my face, and bright, blue eyes. Ah?
"Thank you?"
It took me a full five seconds to realize that the person who helped me was the one and only, Red Hot Habanero, Kushina Uzumaki-Namikaze. Wait, is she married to Minato now?
"Oh, Minato! Look at him! And his bag too!" She gushed and pushed her palms against she cheeks, squishing her face. Her boyfriend/husband smiled at me and ruffled my hair. Wow, his hand is big enough to grip my whole head. It was honestly a very fatherly gesture, one I realize I missed all this time.
"Hello! I'm Ken!" I say, waving my hand and smiling my best so-smol-protect-for-life smile in an attempt to further squeeze Kushina's heart.
"Calm down, Kushina. My name is Minato and she's Kushina, nice to meet you, Ken—", He shook my small hand slowly, as if ge was scared he'd pull my arm from its socket. "What are you doing here alone, hm? Where's your mom?" Minato asked as he sat next to me, keeping an arm behind my seat.
"I wan' play 'lone and got hungry." Ugh, my baby mouth can't even.
"Oh, I see! What do you want to eat? We'll pay!" Kushina butted in and proceeded to order a few bowls of ramen. I looked on in amazement as Kushina inhaled two bowls of ramen just when Minato finished half of his bowl.
"What do you want to eat, little g— wait, aren't you Kaya-sama's son? Ushijima Ken, right?" A man behind the counter asked, oh goodie, Teuchi!
"Ah, yes! I'd like one chashū ramen please! With an extra helping of pork too!"
"Coming right up! One chashū ramen and extra pork!" It was honestly the best experience here so far, watching Teuchi stretch the noodles so fast and using low level fire techniques to cook the broth and noodles.
And then it came. I could almost hear the angels sing hallelujah in the distance, bells pleasantly tinkling in my ears. Or was that Megami? I really don't know.
The first bite was amazing. The noodles had that very flavourful taste and the texture was just right. It wasn't the noodles I'd taste when eating at a japanese restaurant back in New York, but it was better and more chewier. I can see why Naruto got so attached to Ichiraku-made ramen.
"This is great! Can you make one for take-out, Chef-san?" I ask, pulling my bag off and putting it on my lap. I pull half from a wad of cash and check the price of what I ate.
500 ryo, plus extra 120 ryo for the pork. Maybe I'll pay for Minato and Kushina's ramen too? Eh, they're adults. I'll let them pay for themselves.
Just then I realized that Teuchi said my name loudly, and now people kept on looking over to where I sat. I pay quickly and say my goodbyes to the couple and Teuchi. I got off of the chair (with Minato's help) and ran outside, looking down so I avoided eye contact with anyone.
I open the in-game map discreetly and stick to the middle of the streets. The Uchiha district was a long way from Ichiraku. The Leaf was so vast and wide, you'd take a few hours just to get from one side of the village to the other. Unless you're a ninja, you could run a suicide and it'll take you about 2-3 hours depending on how fast of a runner you are. It was that big. No wonder Gai and Lee have so much stamina.
I take a sharp left and lo and behold, the Uchiha compound! It was very lively when I got there. People with dark hair and dark eyes sold trinkets, clothes, and wow, they got dango!
The Uchiha compound was bustling with life, people comforting others with hugs and bright smiles that promised a better tomorrow. It was touching, really. It made Ken sad that the very same people were pushed to the corner and triggered a coup because of an accusation, one without concrete proof. It broke his heart to see people that tried their best be ostracised in a village that supposedly taught their ninja teamwork. The Will of Fire wasn't all that practiced despite it being the favourite thing people in Konoha keep saying.
Ken went around, buying small trinkets for people he knew and just simply wanted to befriend. He brought a cute pineapple shaped trinket for Ma, a little bluebell trinket for Kazu, a fox for Kushina, a naruto for Minato, a Hokage hat trinket for Obito and a white puppy trinket for Kakashi. All seven were worth just under 150 ryo. It was a steal, Ken guessed. Or maybe he got a children's discount?
He carefully put the plastic of trinkets inside his bag and went about asking elderly people if they've seen Obito. Receiving yes for an answer, he asked around if they knew where he currently was. They all pointed out that the kid was always helping them early in the morning and would probably in the training grounds at four in the afternoon.
After saying my thanks, it was easy to get lost in the sea of people, all trying to just move about in the busy streets. I pulled my bag higher up my back, and squeezing through people's legs and zooming towards the training grounds.
The in-game map sure did prove useful.
"Now the question is, what ground he's currently in? I'll look in 7 first." He headed to Training Ground 7, to see it empty.
"Eh? Where are they?"
"What are you doing here, kid? It's dangerous here!" A teenager voice called out and Ken froze in his spot. Holy.
"Hey! Are you even listening to me?" A loud grumble under someone's breath he heard as he turned around. In all his blue and orange glory, Obito Uchiha stood tall. It was satisfying seeing him in person, as his hair was very poofy, unlike in the anime where it looked like he just couldn't be bothered in the mornings. It was cute and he was willing to bet all the money on him that he poofed his hair up for Rin.
"H-Hi! I'm looking for someone called Obito Uchiha! Is he here?" Ken blurted out, mentally slapping his forehead while Megami laughed in the background. You're supposed to make him feel like he's famous! Stroke his ego!
"A-ah! That's me, alright! Whaddya want, kid?" He pointed to himself and smiled. Ken wanted to know the secret to his brighter-than-the-sun smile.
"Here! Because you're gonna be the Hokage one day!" He shoved the trinket onto Obito's stomach (that's the highest he could reach, don't come for him ugh) and ran away. He ran as fast as his little legs could carry him, zooming through what he thought were the streets with his eyes closed (how he did not bump into something is a miracle) and finally stopped when he realized he ran straight into the forest. He cursed up a storm in his mind and tried to figure out where he was exactly. The in-game village map only worked inside on places with concrete and landmarks near them, but Ken was obviously in the forest.
ping!
MISSION!
Get out of the Forest of Death!
REWARD(S)!
Golly. He couldn't accept or decline once again. He was tempted to ask Megami for directions but remembered Megami was not really the best choice. I mean, she was lost herself when she got trapped inside Ken.
No use asking someone who could possibly get him more lost than what he started out with. But wait, Forest of Death? That's bull! He ran from Training Ground 7 to— whatever! He had a meal's worth on his ladybug backback, a full water bottle, his toy kunai and an Academy-issued kunai, a whole plastic of trinkets and money. Now how to survive the first with just those was the unsung question.
'No, the real question is do chakra-reliant animals like ramen?' If they smell what he had, and try to find it. He's screwed.
A hand shot out and held Ken's collar. It was Obito.
"Geez kid! You shouldn't run without looking where you're going!" The older said with a blush. He rubbed the back of his head and dragged Ken back to the training grounds. It was dark and quite gloomy under all the trees thirty times the size of Obito. He followed the teen around, occasionally tripping on falling branches and random rocks laying about. He pulled his bag higher up his back, figure tensed and on the lookout. He wouldn't be given an in-game mission if it were just a joke, right?
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Saki Aburame was livid. Shaking with anger and sadness. How could that bitch keep her nephew away from his rightful family? She knew those eyes. She knew that familiar glimmer was of someone she knew and looked at so closely.
She knew those eyes. She knew the exact same shade, if not brighter, was like her brother's eyes. The same familiar blue that shone so bright and comforted Saki. Her stoic face betrayed anything that pointed to her having raged inside her room. Her kikai were buzzing, a few spreading out and trying to find a way out to find the source of their host's agitation.
She knew she had no right to keep the boy, she was only the aunt and not the mother, Kaya-sama was the one with the bigger right. They, the Aburame, hadn't expected Sato to have been in a relationship with the head of the Ushijima. There was a widely believed rumour that the female was unable to conceive, thus resorting to adopting the oldest kid still living in the orphanage, which was the jōnin people know as Kazuhiko.
Was she selfish for wanting a piece of her brother back? Was she selfish for thinking it was also her right to take care of Sato's child? Was she evil because she wanted to kill Kaya so that the child would be given to the Aburame? Was she? She wasn't, right?
She clutched the necklace the other ninja managed to salvage from Sato. They told her he died fighting not for Konoha, but for his 'child'. They were baffled at first, and thought it was a desperate attempt for him to live, a selfish desire that emerged so he could continuegiving himself hope to live. It was heartbreaking to know that, indeed, he really was fighting for his child. Sato was a good man. He would've given the child a comfortable life even without the Ushijima clan's riches.
A lone tear rolled down her cheek, and her kikai immediately spread to comfort her. It only made her cry more. The foreign beetle on her arm was weeping.
She wanted to scream. She wanted to rage once again. She wanted to cry for days.
She wanted her brother back.
Was it a crime to love a family member? She certainly loved Sato with her whole heart. She knew what she wants to happen was selfish.
It's not.
A small, quiet voice said from the back of her mind. It's just that her love and his love for the child were too different. Her brother loved the child unconditionally, loved the child before he even knew the gender, before he even had the chance to feel him kick his mother's stomach, before he even spoke his first word.
Before he was even a confirmed pregnancy.
His love was so great, that he was willing to go to war without any doubt in his mind that he would come back. He sucked it all up and went to war, knowing his sacrifice would give the child a better future, one where his unborn child was not expected to be a ninja. A child soldier. A killing machine.
He died before he even named the child.
Her love was polluted. She knows she's blinded by the want to feel the aura of her beother again. She knows the only reason she wants to get the child is for her to see those familiar blue orbs again. No doubt Kaya was already working on never letting the Aburame get Sato's son.
Another tear left Saki's eyes. She choked back a sob and put a hand on her heart. She wanted Sato back. She felt so vulnerable, so weak, so lost that she almost cried while treating the child and had a mental breakdown as the icy blue orbs stared at her. It looked so much like Sato's eyes when they were younger. Ones that comforted her when she lost her own child. Her tears stopped flowing and she put a hand on her mouth to swallow the sobs back. She made up her mind. She's going to fight for Ken. She's going to do her duty as an Aburame. She's going to do her duty as Ken's aunt. She's going to bring back her brother's legacy to where he rightfully belongs. She wasn't selfish to want to take care of Ken. She wasn't selfish because she wants a piece of Sato back.
There was only one question left for the world to answer now.
Was she evil for wanting to kill Kaya?
彡
Hey guys! It's been a few days since my last update and well, I'm really sorry! I'm slowly easing into the story's canon plot line, so you can expect the RPG and action part of the story to finally come to life! I'll try to make the chapters about 3K to 4K words long so it's about ten minutes worth of reading. That's all!
じゃね
